1914
Walter
2014
Walter Redford Rhue
November 10, 1914 — September 23, 2014
Mr. Walter Redford Rhue, “Redford” died peacefully the morning of Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Carteret General Hospital, Morehead City, NC.
The visitation and funeral service will be conducted at Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC on Saturday. Visitation will be at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM. Burial will follow in the Gethsemane Memorial Park.
Mr. Redford lived a rich, full life with his wife of 69 years, Mary Belle Parker Rhue, who predeceased him, as did his parents, Thomas David Rhue and Noma Agnes Prescott Rhue, and all eight of his siblings, Jesse Robert, Joseph Reuben, Zennie Larone, Eunice Estelle Rhue Norris, Jabez Jason, Mildred, Isabelle Rhue Weeks, Roy Thomas, and Naomi Agnes Rhue Vinson. Mr. Rhue was born on November 10, 1914 and died just short of his 100th birthday. Having had no biological children, Mr. Rhue is survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
He was born in the Hadnot Creek section of Carteret County. He attended a 1-room 1-teacher school located on what is now Old Church Road from grades 1 through 6. He continued grades 7-9 at the Old White Oak School located on Taylor Notion Road. He attended 10th and 11 grades in Newport and drove the school bus. He did not graduate from high school because he had to help on the farm.
Mr. Rhue determined that farming was not for him. In 1941 he began working for Harrison & Wright on Camp Lejeune as an electrician’s helper making 40cents per hour. He retired in 1977 having promoted through the ranks to become an electrical engineer. He worked for several companies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Redford and Mary Belle lived in Ft Lawn, SC from 1948-1969. Here they built their first home. He was mayor of Ft Lawn for two terms and also served as a councilman, tax collector, and city judge.
They moved back home to Cape Carteret in 1976 where they lived on Holly Lane. Mr. Rhue was a commissioner of Cape Carteret around 1980 for two years.
Mr. Redford was a lifelong Primitive Baptist leaving a legacy to his nieces and nephews of unwavering faith and commitment to God. He modeled strength, faith, integrity and joy of life. His family was always, and forever will be, blessed by his unconditional love and encouragement. He was elected Trustee and Treasurer of the Hadnot Creek Primitive Baptist Church and served in these positions for many years. Mr. Rhue led the effort to preserve this historical church and spearheaded renovations after damage during Hurricane Fran in 1996.
Many societal changes occurred during his lifetime. As a child, he walked to school and communicated by word of mouth or letters. His father was one of the first in the neighborhood to have a car and Redford was the designated driver for his siblings and cousins. He would drive them to the Codfish in Swansboro to dance. This is where he met Mary Belle, who later became his wife.
Mr. Redford kept up with the changes in society. He remained actively engaged in the community, driving until he was 97 and having a cell phone so family could reach him while he was working in the yard, hunting or fishing. As late as June of this year, Mr. Redford remained living alone at home. He received Meals on Wheels for the last couple of years. His favorite meal, however, was steamed oysters from T&W Oyster Bar. If possible, he ate at the Bar the first day oysters were in season and the last day they were available. And he would have been happy to eat there most any day in between.
Mr. Redford had a positive outlook on life and a smile on his face regardless of his circumstances. Family and friends are left with many happy memories of him. As a family friend wrote, “His body finally gave out, but his spirit didn’t.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following: (1) Hadnot Creek Primitive Baptist Church, % Mary Lou Smith, 509 Deer Creek Drive, Cape Carteret, NC 28584-9702 (2) Hem of His Garment, PO Box 597, Swansboro, NC 28584, designation: Meals on Wheels.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
The visitation and funeral service will be conducted at Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC on Saturday. Visitation will be at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM. Burial will follow in the Gethsemane Memorial Park.
Mr. Redford lived a rich, full life with his wife of 69 years, Mary Belle Parker Rhue, who predeceased him, as did his parents, Thomas David Rhue and Noma Agnes Prescott Rhue, and all eight of his siblings, Jesse Robert, Joseph Reuben, Zennie Larone, Eunice Estelle Rhue Norris, Jabez Jason, Mildred, Isabelle Rhue Weeks, Roy Thomas, and Naomi Agnes Rhue Vinson. Mr. Rhue was born on November 10, 1914 and died just short of his 100th birthday. Having had no biological children, Mr. Rhue is survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
He was born in the Hadnot Creek section of Carteret County. He attended a 1-room 1-teacher school located on what is now Old Church Road from grades 1 through 6. He continued grades 7-9 at the Old White Oak School located on Taylor Notion Road. He attended 10th and 11 grades in Newport and drove the school bus. He did not graduate from high school because he had to help on the farm.
Mr. Rhue determined that farming was not for him. In 1941 he began working for Harrison & Wright on Camp Lejeune as an electrician’s helper making 40cents per hour. He retired in 1977 having promoted through the ranks to become an electrical engineer. He worked for several companies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Redford and Mary Belle lived in Ft Lawn, SC from 1948-1969. Here they built their first home. He was mayor of Ft Lawn for two terms and also served as a councilman, tax collector, and city judge.
They moved back home to Cape Carteret in 1976 where they lived on Holly Lane. Mr. Rhue was a commissioner of Cape Carteret around 1980 for two years.
Mr. Redford was a lifelong Primitive Baptist leaving a legacy to his nieces and nephews of unwavering faith and commitment to God. He modeled strength, faith, integrity and joy of life. His family was always, and forever will be, blessed by his unconditional love and encouragement. He was elected Trustee and Treasurer of the Hadnot Creek Primitive Baptist Church and served in these positions for many years. Mr. Rhue led the effort to preserve this historical church and spearheaded renovations after damage during Hurricane Fran in 1996.
Many societal changes occurred during his lifetime. As a child, he walked to school and communicated by word of mouth or letters. His father was one of the first in the neighborhood to have a car and Redford was the designated driver for his siblings and cousins. He would drive them to the Codfish in Swansboro to dance. This is where he met Mary Belle, who later became his wife.
Mr. Redford kept up with the changes in society. He remained actively engaged in the community, driving until he was 97 and having a cell phone so family could reach him while he was working in the yard, hunting or fishing. As late as June of this year, Mr. Redford remained living alone at home. He received Meals on Wheels for the last couple of years. His favorite meal, however, was steamed oysters from T&W Oyster Bar. If possible, he ate at the Bar the first day oysters were in season and the last day they were available. And he would have been happy to eat there most any day in between.
Mr. Redford had a positive outlook on life and a smile on his face regardless of his circumstances. Family and friends are left with many happy memories of him. As a family friend wrote, “His body finally gave out, but his spirit didn’t.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following: (1) Hadnot Creek Primitive Baptist Church, % Mary Lou Smith, 509 Deer Creek Drive, Cape Carteret, NC 28584-9702 (2) Hem of His Garment, PO Box 597, Swansboro, NC 28584, designation: Meals on Wheels.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
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